Written Answers Nos. 34-38
34. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether he is satisfied with the commitment of all parties towards full participation in the cross-party talks in the Northern Ireland Assembly; and if he is confident that agreement may be reached regarding the outstanding parts of previous agreements and whether they will be fully honoured and implemented. [44965/14]
View answerSince 16 October, discussions have been ongoing in the political talks in Northern Ireland convened by the Irish and British Governments. These talks bring together the Northern Ireland Executive Parties and the two Governments, in order to address a number of key issues that have badly impacted on the reconciliation agenda and on economic renewal. These include budgetary and financial matters, legacy issues (parades, flags and identity, dealing with the past), institutional issues including the effective functioning of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive, and outstanding commitments from the Good Friday and St. Andrews Agreements. The Irish Government’s interest in the talks is to ensure that the Agreements, and effective partnership government which is at the heart of the Agreements, work for the benefit of the people of Northern Ireland.
Discussions have taken place on each of the streams, including on outstanding elements of the Agreements. The principles and values of the Good Friday Agreement and St. Andrews Agreement are essential to peace and reconciliation in Ireland and across these islands. As such, the position of the Irish Government always has been, and continues to be, that all outstanding elements of the Agreements must be implemented, and I have expressed this view during the current talks.
I have been encouraged by the constructive approach demonstrated by all parties to date in the talks. Productive discussions are taking place between the two Governments and the Northern Ireland Executive parties, in a range of formats.
It is clear that the talks have now entered an important phase in which renewed and intensified efforts are required to achieve a comprehensive agreement. Both the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Teresa Villiers, and I will be reporting to the British Prime Minister and to the Taoiseach respectively on the state of play in the talks by the end of November, and I would hope that we would be in a position to report significant progress.
35. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to outline his views on the way talks aimed at resolving the outstanding issues in the Northern Ireland peace process are progressing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44960/14]
View answerThis is a repeat of my reply to Question No. 34.
Since 16 October, discussions have been ongoing in the political talks in Northern Ireland convened by the Irish and British Governments. These talks bring together the Northern Ireland Executive Parties and the two Governments, in order to address a number of key issues that have badly impacted on the reconciliation agenda and on economic renewal. These include budgetary and financial matters, legacy issues (parades, flags and identity, dealing with the past), institutional issues including the effective functioning of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive, and outstanding commitments from the Good Friday and St. Andrews Agreements. The Irish Government’s interest in the talks is to ensure that the Agreements, and effective partnership government which is at the heart of the Agreements, work for the benefit of the people of Northern Ireland.
Discussions have taken place on each of the streams, including on outstanding elements of the Agreements. The principles and values of the Good Friday Agreement and St. Andrews Agreement are essential to peace and reconciliation in Ireland and across these islands. As such, the position of the Irish Government always has been, and continues to be, that all outstanding elements of the Agreements must be implemented, and I have expressed this view during the current talks.
I have been encouraged by the constructive approach demonstrated by all parties to date in the talks. Productive discussions are taking place between the two Governments and the Northern Ireland Executive parties, in a range of formats.
It is clear that the talks have now entered an important phase in which renewed and intensified efforts are required to achieve a comprehensive agreement. I will be reporting to the Taoiseach on the state of play in the talks by the end of November.
36. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection to detail the estimated administrative cost to her Department for the implementation of the water conservation grant announced in Dáil Éireann on 19 November 2014; when she commissioned a study or report to determine an estimate of those costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45413/14]
View answer43. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection whether the €100 payment in respect of water charges will be administered by means of a new scheme or an extension of an existing scheme; the annual administrative cost associated with the payment; if additional staff will be required to implement the scheme; the means by which persons will receive the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45539/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 43 together.
The €100 water conservation grant for households that complete a valid response to Irish Water’s customer registration process will be a Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government scheme. That Department will be responsible for all aspects of policy in regard to the scheme, including eligibility. The Department of Social Protection will administer the grant on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government.
The water conservation grant replaces the tax rebate and social protection measures previously announced. The grant will be paid to the registered householders annually, in respect of their primary dwellings, with the first payment to be paid in September 2015 and each subsequent year up to and including 2018.
The Department of Social Protection is in consultation with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in regard to the administrative arrangements for the scheme including the staffing and funding required to administer it, and the means by which payments will be made. I have not commissioned a study or report to determine an estimate of those costs.
37. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will support a vital north-east city community afterschool service for disadvantaged communities (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45418/14]
View answerI acknowledge the valuable contribution made by community employment (CE) projects. In 2012 a financial review of all CE projects was carried out. In addition, the Department undertook a separate review of the effectiveness of a range of employment supports which included CE. Due to the current economic circumstances, the Department has had to find significant savings in the Budget for 2012 and onwards. However there has been no decrease in the number of CE places allocated to projects.
In relation to the recruitment of CE places, over the past 18 months representatives from the Department have on a regular basis met with representatives from community groups in the north-east inner city and political representatives to discuss CE projects and operations. As a result of these meetings a range of measures have been taken to address the concerns raised. These measures have resulted in an increase overall in the numbers of applications and people starting on CE.
The Department will continue to work with CE schemes to assist in the referral of suitable applicants for CE vacancies, together with meeting various representative stakeholders to discuss the programmes and work towards their overall continuous improvement.
38. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if and when child benefit will be restored and arrears issued in respect of the dependant in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45468/14]
View answerChild benefit is payable in respect of children who are ordinarily resident in the state. In the case of the person concerned payment was suspended in June 2014 as she failed to provide relevant information that was requested in March 2014 in relation to her residency.
The Department received notification of her new address during October 2014 and child benefit has now been reinstated from November 2014. Arrears due for November 2014, together with the payment for December 2014, will be lodged to her nominated bank account on 2 December 2014.
The person concerned was also written to on 21 November 2014 requesting information in relation to her residency in Ireland for the period from June to October 2014. On receipt of her response her claim will be reviewed.
